Gilly liked the effect her new enthusiasm for gliding had on people. She briefly considered buying a set of motorbike leathers and telling everyone she had a Harley. Her reputation as a ‘nice lady’ would finally be in pieces.

Feeling better for having her hair done, when Gilly arrived home she went out to meet the caterers who had arrived while she’d been away.

Franco from the Italian wine bar near William’s house, who was in charge, was delightfully Italian, full of compliments and charming comments on the surroundings. Once she had been reassured that everything that should be served hot would be, and the cold things would be cold and not room temperature, she allowed herself to be taken to see the contents of Franco’s special van.

There were platters of charcuterie, so finely cut you could probably read through it. Plates of stuffed artichokes like little roses, finely sliced courgettes formed into cylinders and filled with (Franco told her) pine nuts and breadcrumbs, parmesan and thyme. Salvers of stuffed courgette flowers, almost too pretty to eat, and comforting troughs of aubergine parmigiana, lasagne and something Gilly couldn’t identify but looked delicious.

‘Everything will be served just as it should be,’ said Franco. ‘Our waiters will fill glasses, provide water and soft drinks; everything will be perfect.’

‘I’m so happy,’ said Gilly.

‘We are doing our best for William,’ said Franco. ‘He is good man.’ There were also bowls of salad and piles of roasted asparagus: enough vegan and healthy options to please even Cressida (should she happen to come).

‘It all looks amazing,’ Gilly said. ‘Thank you so much.’

‘As I said, it is for William. He once helped us when we were in trouble. And now he has a beautiful companion, we want to do our best for her, too.’ He took this opportunity to kiss her hand.

As she went back into the house she was blushing and chiding herself for being flattered. Franco probably said that to all the girls, she told herself.

Now to see to the flowers for the tables.

As she went round her garden, secateurs and bucket of water in hand, followed by Ulysses who was grumpy because he’d been thrown out of the catering van several times, she realised she was excited.

Mostly she was looking forward to seeing William. He had rung her while she was in bed and it had been lovely talking to him. Sadly one of the things he had said was that he wouldn’t be able to get to the house until just before the party, but that was OK as she was used to dealing with these things on her own.